The Indian government has initiated an inquiry into allegations that Apple supplier Foxconn has been discriminating against married women in its hiring practices at a major iPhone manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. This follows a recent Reuters report uncovering the discriminatory practices.
In response to the revelations, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has invoked the Equal Remuneration Act of 1976, which prohibits discrimination based on gender in employment. “No discrimination [is] to be made while recruiting men and women workers,” the ministry emphasized in its statement.
The ministry has formally requested a comprehensive report from the Labour Department of Tamil Nadu, where the iPhone plant is located, regarding the discriminatory hiring practices highlighted in the Reuters investigation. Additionally, the office of the Regional Chief Labour Commissioner has been instructed to provide a factual report on the matter.
Both Apple and Foxconn have yet to comment on the government’s directive. Similarly, the Tamil Nadu state government has not responded to media inquiries outside of regular office hours.
According to the Reuters investigation, Foxconn allegedly excluded married women from employment at its Sriperumbudur plant, citing reasons such as family responsibilities, potential pregnancy, and higher absenteeism compared to unmarried women. This practice, according to sources within Foxconn and its hiring agents interviewed by Reuters, was systematic and persistent.
The Ministry of Labour stated that it is “taking note of media reports” regarding these discriminatory practices and is committed to investigating the matter thoroughly.
Apple and Foxconn had previously acknowledged shortcomings in their hiring processes in 2022 and claimed to have implemented corrective measures. However, the discriminatory practices documented by Reuters occurred between 2023 and 2024, with the companies failing to address these specific incidents.
In response to queries from Reuters, Apple reiterated its commitment to non-discriminatory hiring practices in its supply chain and emphasized its proactive measures to uphold these standards. Foxconn, on the other hand, denied the allegations vehemently, asserting that it does not discriminate in employment based on marital status or any other grounds.
Legal experts highlighted that while Indian law does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on marital status in hiring, both Apple’s and Foxconn’s own policies prohibit such practices within their operations.
The government’s intervention underscores its commitment to upholding workplace equality and addressing discriminatory practices in the manufacturing sector, particularly within high-profile global supply chains like that of Apple and Foxconn. The outcome of the investigation will likely have significant implications for labor practices and corporate responsibility in India’s growing manufacturing hub.
Navneet Kaur
The following fellow has been hired under the project ‘Diverse Voices: Amplifying Narratives, Empowering Journalists’ which was made possible through the financial support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation’s Media Fellowships Program.